# NTSB FTW94LA256: Air Tractor AT-401, N45297, Mcgehee, AR, August 2, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 1994, 19:00 local (Aug 2, 1994, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Mcgehee, AR - Coordinates: 33.620429, -91.390762 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6204&lon=-91.3908&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19129 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA256 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19129/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA256 ## Probable cause TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AS THE ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO A BLOWER BEARING FAILURE. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal - eng assembly,blower/impeller/integral supercharger - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis AERIAL APPLICATION WORK WAS COMPLETED AT ONE LOCATION. THE AIRPLANE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 700 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND TO ANOTHER LOCATION, WHEN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED. AN EMERGENCY DESCENT AND APPROACH WAS MADE TO A COTTON TURN ROW. DURING THE LANDING ROLL ON THE ROUGH TURN ROW, THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE FAILURE OF A BEARING IN THE BLOWER SECTION CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 1994, at 1900 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-401, N45297, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near McGehee, Arkansas. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight. The pilot and operator reported the following information. The flight departed the Weatherly Farm near Kelso, Arkansas, at 1845. The airplane was being ferried to Jerome, Arkansas, for additional aerial application flights. During cruise at 700 feet above the ground, a total mechanical loss of engine power occurred. An emergency descent and approach was made to a cotton turn row. During the landing roll on the rough turn row, the airplane ground looped. An examination of the engine by the FAA inspector and the operator revealed the engine was mechanically seized. The operator reported a bearing failure in the engine blower section caused the power loss. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45297](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45297-2015-07-17), registration cancelled 2015-07-17, S/N 401-0760 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR AT-401 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-401](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-401) (registry code 0390204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 401-0760 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Operator: Evans Flying Service - Registered owner: D & M Farms Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: NONE, KELSO, AR - Destination: NONE, JEROME, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 5,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 4,900 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19940801019969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940801019969A), Aug 1, 1994: Airtrc AT401, Mcgehee, AR, Substantial damage. Engine lost power flying to another spray field. Ground looped in cotton turn row. Blower bearing failure. ## Other investigations on N45297 (2) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB CEN10LA420](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA420), Jul 21, 2010: Air Tractor AT-401 (N45297), Toulin, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power as a result of a cracked cylinder and the reduced visibility due to the oil-covered windshield. - [NTSB CHI03LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA095), Mar 31, 2003: Air Tractor AT-401 (N45297), Knox, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of the failure of the master rod bearing. Contributing factors were the tree line at the edge of the field, and the unsuitable terrain. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.